Luminescent solar collector structure

Abstract

Disclosed is a luminescent solar collector having a beveled edge meeting an extended face surface thereof at an angle of 40 to 50 degrees, ideally essentially 45 degrees, and physically attached and optically coupled to a relatively small area of said surface a photovoltaic cell adjacent to and parallel to said edge. Usually the beveled edge is a straight edge.

I claim: 
     
       1. A luminescent solar collector having a beveled edge meeting an extended face surface thereof at an angle of 40 to 50 degrees, and physically attached and optically coupled to a relatively small area of said surface at least one photovoltaic cell adjacent to and parallel to said edge, said beveled edge having a highly reflective coating thereon. 
     
     
       2. A luminescent solar collector according to claim 1 wherein more than one edge is beveled at said angle and is so coated, and for each such beveled edge, physically attached and optically coupled to a relatively small area of said surface, at least one photovoltaic cell adjacent to and parallel to said edge. 
     
     
       3. A luminescent solar collector according to claim 2 wherein said angle is essentially 45 degrees. 
     
     
       4. A luminescent solar collector according to claim 1 wherein each edge of said collector is beveled at said angle and is so coated, and for each such beveled edge, physically attached and optically coupled to a relatively small area of said surface, at least one photovoltaic cell adjacent to and parallel to said edge. 
     
     
       5. A luminescent solar collector according to claim 4 wherein said angle is essentially 45 degrees. 
     
     
       6. A luminescent solar collector according to claim 4 wherein opposed face surfaces of extended area are bounded by straight lines and there is a repeating pattern of photovoltaic cells optically coupled to one of the face surfaces of extended area, the unit of said repeating pattern being a regular hexagon or a rectangle. 
     
     
       7. A luminescent solar collector of claim 6 wherein the unit of said repeating pattern is a square. 
     
     
       8. A luminescent solar collector according to claim 7 wherein said angle is essentially 45 degrees. 
     
     
       9. A luminescent solar collector according to claim 6 wherein said angle is essentially 45 degrees. 
     
     
       10. A luminescent solar collector according to claim 1 wherein said angle is essentially 45 degrees.